Photos Rhonda Vopavageyette Jane Ellis, principal Julie Mattson Ostrow More from MPR Schools deal with new education standards (09/03/2003) Charter schools focus on finances (09/02/2003) List of underachieving schools shrinks to 144 (08/14/2003) A Lesson on Learning: Behind No Child Left Behind (03/10/2003) Resources Minnesota Department of Education Your Voice Join the conversation with other MPR listeners in the News Forum.

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School sets its sights on getting off state list
by Tim Pugmire, Minnesota Public Radio
September 4, 2003

Teacher Rhonda Vopavageyette is uncomfortable with the inclusion of Marcy Open School on the state's list of underachieving schools. (MPR Photo/Tim Pugmire)

The start of the new school year has brought added pressure to the Minnesota schools that are falling below performance goals. State officials identified 144 schools last month that are not making the adequate yearly progress required under the federal No Child Left Behind law. They say the designation will push schools to improve. Educators at one Minneapolis school say they accept the challenge, but they also resent the label.

Minneapolis, Minn. — On the first day of school at Marcy Open School in Minneapolis, teacher Rhonda Vopavageyette used a game to help her fourth and fifth grade students get to know each other. Vopavageyette works comfortably in the classroom after 28 years of teaching. But she's uncomfortable this year, knowing Marcy is on the state's list of underachieving schools.

"I think being on a list is a bad mark, and this school is so wonderful," Vopavageyette says. "If it steers anyone away from a particular school because you're on a list, it's not fair."

The designation is hard to swallow at Marcy, where average test scores are among the best in Minneapolis. District officials presented the school a Quality Performance Award last year.

	Jane Ellis, principal

But Marcy ended up on the state list for the first time due to the performance of three student subgroups. African American students scored below the proficiency level on state math tests. Students eligible for free or reduced priced meals scored low on the reading tests. And students learning to speak English fell short on both tests.

Jane Ellis, principal of Marcy, rejects the designation. She says the one-time test scores don't account for students' academic growth.

"Kids come into Marcy at all different levels. It is our job, it's our mission to take them wherever they're at and bring them along the growth line. And that's what we're doing," says Ellis. "And in every single score that you'd see, at least here in the district, we are in the top three, the top four for the entire district. And so we would say to our parents we're doing well."

There are 658 students enrolled in kindergarten through eighth grade at Marcy. Students come from throughout the city for its arts magnet program. Students of color make up 40 percent of the enrollment, and 44 percent come from low income families. Students speak 28 languages. Many parents are active in the school. Ellis says the list designation has generated a lot of support.

	Julie Mattson Ostrow

"Staff and families have come out of the woodwork," Ellis says. "Not pointing their finger and saying, 'What are you doing wrong?' as much as, 'How can we help? What do you need from us, Jane? Tell us how to mobilize.'"

The parent council at Marcy is headed by Julie Mattson Ostrow, who has two children enrolled in the school. She says the list has raised some questions, but parents are not panicky.

"We recognize that there are some groups that we need to do better with. No one is at the top, and everybody can do better," says Ostrow. "On the other hand, it's not a horrible situation. And that's kind of what the headlines make you believe, that these are the schools that got the As and on the other hand these are the schools that got he Fs, and boy you'd better watch out. And that's not the case."

School leaders will rely heavily on parents and other adult volunteers this year as they try to address their academic shortcomings. Students who scored low on last year's tests, as well as those in danger of doing poorly this year, will get extra help. Teachers will closely monitor these groups. If the problems persist, the school will face consequences.

Schools identified for two years must allow students to transfer to schools meeting performance goals. After three years on the list, the school must provide supplemental services, including tutoring to low-income students.

Principal Jane Ellis says she's confident Marcy can work its way off the list.

"It's not when or if," Ellis says. "We will get off this, and it will be this year. And our staff and families are committed to that."

Marcy and the other schools on the state list get their first chance for academic redemption next March, when elementary students take the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments in reading and math.

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